Rishabh Pant has surpassed MS Dhoni to become the highest run-scorer among Indian designated wicketkeeper-batters in away or neutral Test matches. He reached the milestone on Day 2 (Monday, August 24) of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Pant resumed his innings after retiring hurt on three runs on Day 1 following a blow to his left wrist. He returned to score an unbeaten 63 off 88 balls, helping India reach 419/6 at lunch. Pant also shared a valuable partnership with Dhruv Jurel. Notably, the visitors lost debutant Saransh Jain earlier in the session.
Rishabh Pant Breaks MS Dhoni's Record in Away Tests
Rishabh Pant crossed 2,500 runs in away Tests as a designated Indian wicketkeeper-batter during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. He moved past MS Dhoni’s previous record of 2,496 runs. Pant reached 2,534 runs in 36 matches at an average of 42.23, including six centuries and 11 fifties.
MS Dhoni scored 2,496 runs in 48 away Tests between 2006 and 2014 at an average of 32.84. Pant is at third among designated wicketkeeper-batters in away Tests worldwide, behind former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who scored 2,696 runs, and Australia great Adam Gilchrist, who finished with 2,634 runs.
Pant has 17 scores of 50 or more in away Tests, placing him sixth among wicketkeeper-batters. Adam Gilchrist, MS Dhoni and Alan Knott are at the top of the list with 19 each, followed by Andy Flower and Matt Prior with 18 apiece.
Most Runs by Designated Wicketkeeper-Batters in Away Tests:
| Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarfaraz Ahmed | Pakistan | 52 | 2,696 | 35.01 | 3/18 |
| Adam Gilchrist | Australia | 41 | 2,634 | 49.69 | 10/9 |
| Rishabh Pant | India | 36* | 2,534* | 42.23 | 6/11 |
| Mark Boucher | South Africa | 72 | 2,514 | 27.03 | 1/15 |
| MS Dhoni | India | 48 | 2,496 | 32.84 | 1/18 |
Rishabh Pant Eyes 3,000 Runs in World Test Championship
Rishabh Pant also moved closer to another major milestone in Colombo. He entered the match as India’s leading run-scorer in the World Test Championship with 2,948 runs from 42 matches at an average of 42.72. Shubman Gill follows him with 2,917 runs, while Rohit Sharma has 2,716.
Pant needs 52 more runs to reach 3,000 WTC runs. He would become the first Indian batter to achieve the milestone. The southpaw would also become the first designated wicketkeeper-batter in world cricket to score 3,000 runs in the World Test Championship.
Most Runs for India in WTC:
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pant | 42* | 2,948* | 42.72 | 6/18 |
| Shubman Gill | 42* | 2,917* | 42.27 | 10/9 |
| Rohit Sharma | 40 | 2,716 | 41.15 | 9/8 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 50* | 2,675* | 41.79 | 5/18 |
| Virat Kohli | 46 | 2,617 | 35.36 | 5/11 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 30* | 2,588* | 47.92 | 7/13 |
Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel Lead India's Fightback on Day 2
India resumed Day 2 on 300/5 and Asitha Fernando struck early by dismissing debutant Saransh Jain for six. Rishabh Pant returned to the crease after he retired hurt on three on Day 1.
Pant had suffered a blow to his left wrist on the opening day. He took a few more blows from the pacers after returning but responded with aggressive batting. Nuwantha bowled an unchanged 11-over spell but could not take a wicket, while Pant and Dhruv Jurel continued to build India's innings.
Pant reached his 21st Test fifty from 81 balls, while Jurel brought up his half-century from 97 deliveries. He and Jurel added an unbeaten 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Pant finished the session on 63* from 88 balls, while Jurel remained unbeaten on 59.
